The Forest Department has prepared a focussed rehabilitation plan for the tigress that was captured from the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary a few days ago after it strayed into human habitats.
Having found the animal in a famished condition soon after its arrival in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a team of veterinary experts and forest officials have begun medication and a diet that would enable the big cat to regain strength. However, the chances of releasing the animal into the wild remained bleak. According to Dayamon D. Mathew, Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer who attended to the ailing animal, the tigress has lost several of its teeth, and many were found to be worn out owing to old age. “While three canine teeth were absent, another only had a stump remaining.. While it had attacked two cows, the tigress was unable to kill them,” Dr. Mathew said.
Special diet
Owing to its inability to chew, the tigress has been put on a special diet of chicken and beef, preferably thigh muscles without bones.
“It has been responding well to the medication and the diet. However, it will have to be kept under observation for a long time and cannot be released into the wild,” says Y.M. Shajikumar, Wildlife Warden, Thiruvananthapuram.
